NASHVILLE, TN (February 5, 2013) – Doyle Lawson was named Mandolin Performer of the Year by the SPBGMA (Society for the Preservation of Bluegrass Music in America) at the 39th Annual SPBMA Bluegrass Music Awards held on Sunday evening at the Sheraton Music City Hotel in Nashville.
Lawson received a total of four (4) SPBGMA Award Nominations including Entertainer of the Year, as well as Vocal Group of the Year and Gospel Group of the Year (Contemporary) with his band Quicksilver.
Also celebrating his 50th anniversary in music on Sunday, the ride for Doyle Lawson seems to be only gathering momentum, as Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver are reigning Inspirational Country Music Association (ICM) Vocal Group of the Year, and Lawson is still basking in the glow of his induction into the International Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame in September at Nashville’s world famous Ryman Auditorium.
“Doyle is legendary in both bluegrass and gospel genres,†said Bob Cherry of Cybergrass, “and he frequently mixes them to deliver something special. He has given so much for so long to the music we all love, and he’s never let us down. Who wouldn’t be proud of Doyle? The bluegrass and gospel community definitely loves this man and his music!â€
Lawson was honored by the Governor and State of Tennessee in 2012 for his contributions to the state and nation through his music, was heralded by journalist Craig Havighurst as “one of music’s lions,â€Â and Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver appeared on Rock and Roll Hall of Famer and 12-time Grammy winner Paul Simon’s recent album “So Beautiful or So What.â€Â DLQ also appeared on the acclaimed “Mark Twain: Words and Music†with such heavy-hitters as Jimmy Buffet, Clint Eastwood, Sheryl Crow, Brad Paisley, and Emmylou Harris. DLQ’s album “Drive Time†spent several weeks atop the Alternate Roots Top 66 International Bluegrass Chart at #1 and was proclaimed an Essential Album of the Year by Acoustic Guitar Magazine, while the single “Precious Memories†spent an impressive five months at #1 atop the Singing News Bluegrass Gospel Chart. “I Saw Him Walk Out of the Sky†from the most recent gospel album “Sing Me a Song About Jesus†spent two months atop the Singing News Bluegrass Gospel Chart at #1 and was nominated as IBMA’s Gospel Recorded Performance of the Year.
Sounds like Lawson and his band are just getting warmed up! Attorney and fellow musician Charlie Sizemore echoed the sentiment, saying recently, “I would not be the least bit surprised if the best music from Doyle Lawson is yet to come.â€
In a statement written just before the SPBGMA Award was announced on Sunday, and in reflecting on his career in music, Lawson said: “From the depths of my heart, I thank everyone who ever stood on stage with me, those who work behind the scenes, all of the people who have shown your support by coming to the concerts and buying the recordings, and most of all almighty God and His only begotten Son Jesus for watching over me and guiding my footsteps when I may have taken the wrong road of life. God bless you all, and stay with me! It’s a great ride!â€
 To read Lawson’s full quote on his career, please go to:
http://doylelawson.com/2013/
For a full listing of SPBGMA Award Winners, please go to:
http://www.musicrow.com/2013/
To view all SPBGMA Nominees, please go to:
http://www.spbgma.com/level2/
Photo by Kim Hornsby
